n. & v.
n. 1 a covering for the hand, of wool, leather, cotton, etc., worn esp. for protection against cold or dirt, and usu. having separate fingers. 2 a padded protective glove, esp.: a a boxing glove. b a wicket-keeper's glove.
v.tr. cover or provide with a glove or gloves. fit like a glove fit exactly. glove box 1 a box for gloves. 2 a closed chamber with sealed-in gloves for handling radioactive material etc. 3 = glove compartment. glove compartment a recess for small articles in the dashboard of a motor vehicle. glove puppet a small cloth puppet fitted on the hand and worked by the fingers. throw down (or take up) the glove issue (or accept) a challenge. with the gloves off mercilessly; unfairly; with no compunction. gloveless adj. glover n.
[ OE glof, corresp. to ON glófi, perh. f. Gmc ]